Riverside Reading Princess

Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls Hugging Kindergartner Paige Pike, Riverside physical education teacher Jean Martin, 49, has only worn a dress a handful of times in her life. She told students she would wear one to school if they raised $7,500 for the annual fundraiser to raise money for technology and books for the school, which coincides with “I love to read month.” The kids raised nearly $9,000.

By Steven L. Kohls

February 27, 2015 at 6:27 PM

Hugging kindergartner Paige Pike, Riverside physical education teacher Jean Martin, 49, has only worn a dress a handful of times in her life. She told students she would wear one to school if they raised $7,500 for the annual fundraiser to raise money for technology and books for the school, which coincides with "I love to read month." The kids raised nearly $9,000. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

By Steven L. Kohls

I was raised on a farm in western Minnesota where I participated in 4-H, high school sports, and everything that farm kids do for fun after chores. Graduated from Ridgewater Community College with an AA degree and my first taste of newspapering. I worked a summer on the Ortonville Independent as a reporter and photographer.

Riverside Reading Princess

Hugging kindergartner Paige Pike, Riverside physical education teacher Jean Martin, 49, has only worn a dress a handful of times in her life. She told students she would wear one to school if they raised $7,500 for the annual fundraiser to raise ...